Hans Theys

Hans Theys is a twentieth-century philosopher and art historian. He has written and designed dozens of books on the works of contemporary artists and published hundreds of essays, interviews and reviews in books, catalogues and magazines. All his publications are based on actual collaborations and conversations with artists.

This platform was developed by Evi Bert (M HKA / Centrum Kunstarchieven Vlaanderen) in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp (Research group Archivolt), M HKA, Antwerp and Koen Van der Auwera. We also thank Idris Sevenans (HOR) and Marc Ruyters (Hart Magazine).

Panamarenko

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(c)image: M HKA

Raven's variable matrix, 2000

Panamarenko

Object , 165 x 510 x 364 cm

motor, aluminium, felt, polycarbonate

'I first wanted to find out exactly how that mechanism worked. A seagull, for instance, that's really just a triangular sail like a delta-glider, with at most flapping ends...' - Panamarenko

This one-man aircraft recalls Panamarenko’s frail insect flying machines from the seventies. Its construction is not based on the wing mechanism of insects, however, but on the flapping method of birds. The structure comprises a long steel tube with a seat for the pilot at the front, and a tail rudder at the back. The wings have an aluminium frame and are covered with transparent macrolon. The wingtips are made of black foam rubber, which provides the resistance needed to maintain the wings in an optimum position at a speed of 50 km/h.

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